Random lattice particle modeling of damage localization in concrete members under compression

The ability to predict the localization of damage in concrete members subject to uniaxial compression is investigated by means of a recently developed random lattice particle model. Such capability is of great interest in the modeling of concrete structures, since most of the existing mod els rely on the a-priori definition of a zone in which the nonlinear behavior is concentrated. Lattice particle models, by explicitly representing the mesoscale structure of the material, are capable of sim ulating the localization of damage. Herein, aggregate particles are represented by poly-sized spheres embedded in a cementitious matrix. The connectivity among particles is defined by a Delaunay tetra hedralization of the sphere centers; the resisting areas of the lattice struts are evaluated by a graph that is dual to the tetrahedralization. The mesoscale mechanical properties used in the simulations were measured as part of a multiscale experimental campaign, which also served to validate the numerical macroscopic response of concrete elements subjected to uniaxial compression.